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A Soldiers Battle Tested Vacheron!

January 25, 11 02:26

Hello!!

I am a proud owner of the below watch. I received it for my 21st Birthday from my mother and it has been in the family for many years. I've worn it with pride ever since and it has accompanied me to Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan since. Unfortunately, I know very little about this watch other than the fact it IS a Vacheron Constantin. It has six movements. Hour, Minute, Seconds, Date, Month and Day.

As it's a windup and quite old it loses 11 minutes everyday but in good Vacheron Constantin fashion, it loses that time accurately and as such I set it daily when I wind it up.

I would love to know more about the model of this watch and apologize for the awful quality of the photo. If anyone has any suggestions please let me know!!!

Thanks for the info. Now I might actually have something to go on. My main problem is how little time I have considering the current climate and the lack of man power in the British Army. The thought of parting with my watch for even a short amount of time doesn't really appeal though sooner or later it will need to be done. Although I would never sell it, I should probably get around to insuring it properly. I currently have it insured as an individual item under my house insurance policy for £5,000.00 which is a ball park figure I just threw around. I know VC offer a valuation service but the time involved of sending it off and waiting for it to come back just isn't ideal in my situation.
This watch survived two IED's without so much as a scratch, though that's purely due to the fact I wear my watch on the left hand and it was the right side of my body that suffered minor damage....but still in one piece! I'm just not as pretty as I used to be! haha
Eitherway, I really appreciate the information you've given me and it gives me something to research now. thanks a lot Alex!

Having excitedly taking the model number you offered, not to mention after reading your story about a similar though slightly different watch, I hurridly looked into it. I think mine must be slightly later than yours is as the lugs are slightly different. Mine are completely straight rather than tear drop shaped or otherwise like other watches I've seen online. I've seen another that is quite similar but was moonphase.
You weren't kidding when it seems very difficult to find this model without the moonphase which if mine was...I admit, I wouldn't like nor would I wear!!
Thanks for the info again Alex!

Happy to hear that your VC (and you) is 'battle tested' and still in one piece!
FYI, I wouldn't dare jump in a pool with my VC... So I find it pretty cool that you got to enjoy your VC in such a testing environement.
It looks like a very nice VC, would it be possible to take better pictures?
Cheers,
Francois

Thanks for the welcome Francois,
I wouldn't jump in the pool with mine that's for sure....I once accidentally walked into the shower with it which certainly didn't do it any good considering the condensation on the inside of the glass took a day or more to clear. Most of my collegues think I'm absolutely insane for wearing this watch to places like that but then, it's a time piece....and it was designed to be worn!! and WEAR IT I SHALL! :)
I have several watches that I've collected over the years, some relatively expensive but I always end up wearing my VC 95% of the time not only because of the pride of wearing a VC but because of it's importance.
Eitherway, I will try my best to get a couple of decent photo's posted. There is minor wear to the red on the edge of the gold face with the numbers 1,2,3,4 (date) but otherwise the watch works....it's only other malfunction is the fact the day and month are in French rather than English but I can live with that! :D

Please consider a pre-owned S.S. Vacheron Overseas Chonometer. This maybe better suited for your current life style.
These are readily availible and IMHO a bargin. Then you can have this classic heirloom restored to it's original glory.
Regardess: Thank you for your service, Miki